Whether you’re learning Turkish to connect with a loved one, explore the culture, or enhance your travel experiences, knowing how to express affection is important. This guide will teach you how to say “I love you” in Turkish, share compliments naturally, ask someone out, and even propose. You’ll also discover endearing Turkish terms and idioms that reflect the culture’s unique perspective on love. From playful flirtation to heartfelt declarations, we’ll cover it all.
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How to Say “I Love You” and “I Like You” in Turkish
The most common way to say “I love you” in Turkish is “seni seviyorum” (I love you):
- Aşkım, seni seviyorum (My love, I love you)
This phrase is used in romantic relationships and conveys deep affection. It’s heartfelt, intimate, and should be used when the feelings are mutual and sincere. For other levels of affection or different emotional contexts, here are some useful alternatives:
| Turkish | English Translation | Usage Context |
| Seni çok seviyorum | I love you very much | Strong romantic or deep emotional love |
| Sana aşığım | I’m in love with you | Passionate love |
| Senden hoşlanıyorum | I like you (romantically) | Early stages of dating |
| Sana bayılıyorum | I’m crazy about you / I adore you | Flirty, fun affection |
| Seni özledim | I miss you | Romantic or platonic love |
Examples:
- Senden hoşlanıyorum ama sana aşık değilim. — I like you, but I’m not in love with you.
- Seni çok seviyorum. Seninle bir ömür geçirmek istiyorum. — I love you very much. I want to spend a lifetime with you.
- Sana bayılıyorum. Gülüşün bütün dertlerimi unutturuyor. — I’m crazy about you. Your smile makes me forget all my worries.
Compliments in Turkish
Giving compliments is a great way to express affection and admiration. Compliments are highly appreciated in Turkish culture and can help build closeness and trust. Here are some common compliments to use with someone you admire:
| Turkish | English Translation |
| Çok güzelsin | You are very beautiful |
| Çok yakışıklısın | You are very handsome (man) |
| Seni görmek çok güzel | It’s very nice to see you |
| Gülüşün harika | Your smile is wonderful |
| Gözlerin çok etkileyici | Your eyes are very striking |
| Seninle konuşmak çok keyifli | It’s a pleasure talking to you |
| Tarzın çok hoşuma gidiyor | I really like your style |
Examples:
- Bu elbise sana çok yakışmış! — That dress looks great on you!
- Senin gülüşün bütün günümü aydınlattı. — Your smile brightened my whole day.
- Gözlerin bir ok gibi kalbime işliyor. — Your eyes pierce right into my heart.
How to Ask Someone Out in Turkish
Ready to take the first step? These expressions will help you ask someone out in a friendly or romantic way, depending on your tone and context. In Turkish culture, asking someone out is often done with politeness and warmth.
| Turkish | English Translation |
| Seninle bir kahve içmek isterim | I’d like to have a coffee with you |
| Bu akşam yemeğe çıkmak ister misin? | Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? |
| Birlikte vakit geçirmek ister misin? | Would you like to spend some time together? |
| Seni daha yakından tanımak istiyorum | I want to get to know you better |
| Akşam sahilde yürüyecek miyiz? | Shall we take a walk on the beach this evening? |
Examples:
- Yarın sinemaya gitmek ister misin? — Do you want to go to the movies tomorrow?
- Seninle zaman geçirmek beni mutlu eder. — Spending time with you makes me happy.
- Seninle bir kahve içmek günümü güzelleştirirdi. — Having a coffee with you would make my day better.
How to Propose in Turkish
When the time comes to pop the question, you’ll want to say something meaningful and sincere. Turkish marriage proposals tend to be emotional and often accompanied by symbolic gestures like flowers, rings, or family involvement.
| Turkish | English Translation |
| Benimle evlenir misin? | Will you marry me? |
| Tüm hayatımı seninle geçirmek istiyorum | I want to spend my whole life with you |
| Hayatımın geri kalanında yanımda olur musun? | Will you be with me for the rest of my life? |
| Kalbimi sonsuza kadar sana vermek istiyorum | I want to give my heart to you forever |
Examples:
- Benimle evlenir misin? Seni sonsuza dek seveceğim. — Will you marry me? I will love you forever.
- Seninle bir ömür boyu el ele yürümek istiyorum. — I want to walk hand in hand with you for a lifetime.
Turkish Terms of Endearment
Turkish has many sweet and poetic ways to refer to your loved one. These terms range from romantic to tender, and using them can bring warmth and intimacy to your conversations while sounding more local and authentic!
| Turkish | English Translation |
| Aşkım | My love |
| Canım | My soul / dear |
| Tatlım | My sweetie (used for girls) |
| Birtanem | My one and only |
| Sevgilim | My darling / lover |
| Hayatım | My life |
| Güzelim | My beautiful one (used for girls) |
| Balım | My honey |
| Nefesim | My breath |
| Ruhum | My soul |
| Çiçeğim | My flower (used for girls) |
| Gülüm | My rose (used for girls) |
| Meleğim | My angel (used for girls) |
Examples:
- Canım, nasılsın bu sabah? — My dear, how are you this morning?
- Aşkım, seni çok özledim. — My love, I missed you a lot.
- Balım, seninle olmak her şeye değer. — Honey, being with you is worth everything.
35 Turkish Terms Related to Love and Relationships
To enhance further your vocabulary, here is a list of terms used about love and relationships:
| Turkish Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| aşk | love |
| ilişki | relationship |
| evlilik | marriage |
| nişan | engagement |
| nişanlı | fiancé(e) |
| evli | married |
| bekar | single |
| sevgili | lover / significant other |
| hoşlanmak | to like (romantically) |
| aşık olmak | to fall in love |
| flört | flirt |
| flört etmek | to flirt |
| ayrılık | breakup / separation |
| boşanma | divorce |
| boşanmak | to divorce |
| kıskanmak | to be jealous |
| sadakat | loyalty |
| güven | trust |
| tutku | passion |
| yakınlık | intimacy |
| duygusal bağ | emotional bond |
| bağlılık | commitment / attachment |
| kalp | heart |
| ruh eşi | soulmate |
| çıkmak | to date someone |
| birlikte olmak | to be together |
| ayrılmak | to break up |
| sevgililer günü | Valentine’s Day |
| aşk mektubu | love letter |
| aşk acısı | heartbreak |
| evlenme teklifi | marriage proposal |
| nişan yüzüğü | engagement ring |
| evlilik yüzüğü | wedding ring |
| gelin | bride |
| damat | groom |
| balayına çıkmak | to go on a honeymoon |
5 Turkish Idioms Related to Love
Turkish idioms add depth and cultural flavor to your expression of love. Many of them reflect the poetic and passionate nature of Turkish literature and song. Here’s a closer look at five popular idioms, along with their meanings, explanations, and example sentences:
1. Gözü bir başkasını görmemek
- Literal Translation: Not to see anyone else
- Meaning: To be completely in love with someone
- Explanation: This idiom describes someone who is so in love that they are no longer interested in anyone else romantically. Their attention and emotions are entirely devoted to one person.
- Example: Onu o kadar seviyor ki, gözü başkasını görmüyor. — He loves her so much that he doesn’t see anyone else.
2. Kalbini çalmak
- Literal Translation: To steal someone’s heart
- Meaning: To make someone fall in love
- Explanation: This is used to describe the moment when someone becomes emotionally captivated or enchanted by another person. It often refers to the early phase of falling in love.
- Example: Sen kalbimi çaldın. — You stole my heart.
3. Aşk göz kör eder
- Literal Translation: Love makes the eye blind
- Meaning: Love is blind
- Explanation: This idiom implies that people in love often overlook their partner’s flaws or make irrational decisions. Love clouds judgment.
- Example: Aşk göz kör eder; bazen gerçekleri göremeyiz. — Love is blind; sometimes we can’t see the truth.
4. Aşkın güzelliği, bakan gözdedir
- Literal Translation: The beauty of love is in the eye of the beholder
- Meaning: Love is subjective
- Explanation: This idiom means that beauty or attractiveness is perceived differently by each person. What one person loves deeply might not appeal to another.
- Example: Ona göre sevgilisi çok yakışıklı; aşkın güzelliği, bakan gözdedir. — To her, her boyfriend is very handsome; beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
5. Bir yastıkta kocamak
- Literal Translation: To grow old on one pillow
- Meaning: To spend a lifetime together (as a married couple)
- Explanation: A deeply romantic and traditional idiom wishing for a couple to grow old together in love and harmony. It’s often used in wedding speeches or blessings.
- Example: Bir yastıkta kocayalım, hayatım. — Let’s grow old together, my love.
To go further and learn other useful Turkish vocabulary, discover the top 100 most-used turkish verbs in daily conversation.